Chris Meledandri named CinemaCon Producer of the Year

Chris Meledandri, the Academy Award-nominated founder and CEO of Illumination and creative force behind the hugely successful Despicable Me, IceAge and animated Dr. Seuss franchises, will receive the “CinemaCon Producer of the Year” Award on March 30 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

“Chris and his team at Illumination have brought to life some of the most creative and whimsical worlds for audiences of all ages,’” noted CinemaCon managing director Mitch Neuhauser. “With its astonishing box-office success, his company continues to move animation forward with consistently wonderful films and we are thrilled to honor him.”

Meledandri has built Illumination into one of the industry’s leading producers of event-animated films, and it was recently named one of the “World’s Most Innovative Companies” by Fast Company. Illumination has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures, and its franchises include two of the top six animated films of all time. Its films, which include 2016’s hits Sing and The Secret Life of Pets, have grossed more than $4.5 billion. Upcoming releases include Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Secret Life of Pets 2, Sing 2 and Minions 2. On June 30, 2017, Illumination continues the adventures of Gru, Lucy, their daughters Margo, Edith and Agnes, and the Minions in Despicable Me 3.